Sock construction



Dec. 22, 1964 AR. F. L Aws ETAL socx CONSTRUCTION Filed June 7, 1960 INVENTORS f- RUFUS E LAWS f JAMES M. Hoor omv 9L ;lif,

AGENTSv United States Patent O 3,162,029 SGCK CONSTRUCTRN Rufus F. Laws and .lames M. Hoots, High Point, NAI.,

assignors to Morpnl, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed .lune 7, 1960, Ser. No. 34,521 '7 Claims. (Cl. 66-172) The present invention relates to a knitted fabric construction and more particularly to a plain knitted mock ribbed fabric construction having a new `and ornamental design therein. The mock knitted fabric construction of the present invention is yto be employed in the production of wearing apparel, and more particularly, in the manufacture of hosiery.

The production of mock ribbed knitted fabric, and particularly wearing apparel, has enjoyed considerable commercial acceptance for a great many years. For example, women and young girls have been wearing hosiery known as bobby socks which consist of a plain knitted foot portion and a mock r-ib km'tted top or ankle portion which possesses a bulky ribbed appearance. The bulky ribbed ankle portion is generally designated as consisting of a mock rib construction, and is self-sustaining when encased around the leg of the wearer. This is made possible by elastic thread or yarn, such as, for example, rubber yarn, which has been incorporated into the ankle por-tion, in whole or in part, during its formation to provide the necessary elasticity thereto.

There are many types of such bobby socks in which various designs have been imparted to the ribbed ankle portion of such socks. This is achieved by varying the general knitting operation in one or more ways such that the rib appearance is changed to impart a design thereto.

The present invention is directed to the production of a new and novel mock ribbed knitted fabric having a new and ornamental design therein, and particularly to a new and novel sock of the aforementioned type having a new Y and extremely attractive design appearance in the top or sion of any plain knitted wearing apparel having a new and ornamental design therein.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and novel article of hosiery.

Another object of the present invention is to provide hosiery that possesses a new and ornamental design in the ankle or any other portion of the hose.

Yet another object of the present invention is `the provision of a hosiery in which the top or ankle Vportion thereof is knitted in a new and novel manner.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a sock having a top or ankle portion in which the basic design is capable of being varied by the wearer to impart several designs thereto. f Other and additional objects will become manifest from l the ensuing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

' made by a plain knit operation.

ICC

of courses of a lesser number of yarns, said multiple yarn courses and said courses of said lesser number of yarns being in alternate relationship, and elastic yarn layed in a plurality of courses and floated across at least some rib forming wales of said ankle portion.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means in :the carrying out of the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of the various ways in which the principal of the invention may be employed.

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

`FIGURE l is a side elevational view of one form of a sock construction made in accordance with the present invention illustrating the new and ornamental appearance possessed by the ankle portion of the sock.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged illustration 'of the fabric taken in section 2 of the sock shown in FiG. 1 illustrating the incorporation of the rubber in the ankle portion with a few wales and courses of fabric making lup the fabric being included.

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. l.

FlG. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. l.

Referring now to the drawings and with particular reference to FlG. 1, a completed sock, designated by reference letter S, is shown which illustrates a design of the ankle portion of an illustrative sock construction made in accordance with the present invention quite fully. The sock S consists of an ankle portion A and a foot portion F which is conventional in construction and is The ankle pontion A includes a restricted make-up course B at tbetop free end thereof, with the remainder of the top or ankle portion being composed of a plurality of continuous horizontal bands of loosely knit, vertically extending mock rib portions R spaced vertically from one another by bands of tightly knit restricted plain portions P. The alternate relationship of the loosely knit mock ribbed bands R and the tightly knit plain bands P continues throughout the entire vtop or ankle portion A until it merges with the foot portion F. The illustrative construction of the ankle portion A results in a plurality of elongated mock ribbed bands separated from one another by narrow, restricted, plain bands which` produce a layered or ruled pattern inthe ankle portion of the sock.

The mock rib portions R'of the angle portion A may be of any mock ribbed knitting combination. In the illustrated top or ankle portion A, the rib portions R are shown in a 3 by l mock rib which is a conventional mock rib design. However, it is to be clearly understood that the rib stitch may be any conventional mock rib combination in use today, such as, for example, 2 by 1, etc. With regard to the vertical length of each band of rib portion R, this is determined by the number of courses knit for each rib portion. However, the number of courses knit for the rib portion will, preferably, always be greater than the number of courses knit for the plain restricted portion. However, it is to be understood that it is wi-thin the scope ofthe present invention to have the courses of the plain knit portion greater in number than the courses forming the rib portion.

As illustrated, each of the mock ribbed portions R consists of several courses of bulky loosely knit yarn, while each restricted plain knit portion P consists of two courses. However, it is to be clearly understood that this is illustrative in character only since the number of courses for each of the ribbed portions R and the plain f portions P may vary, as desired. For example, with a conventional Scott-Williams 60 needle knitting machine any numerical arrangement between the ribbed portions and the plain portions may be employed, such as, forexample, 4 and 2, 6 and 2, 8 and 2, 8 and 4, etc.

The ribbed portions R, as hereinbefore indicated, are loosely knit and bulky in configuration. This is accomplished by using a loose stitch operation and a plurality of yarns in each of the rib courses. The courses of the plain knit restricted portioons P, however, Vare formed using a lesser number of yarn strands knit in a tight stitch. This produces the desired layered effect between the long bulky ribbed portions and the narrow restricted plain portions. The ankle portion A of the sock S achieves Vself-sustainability on the leg of the wearer by the use of elastic yarn layed in the ankle portion A of the sock. In the illustrative embodiment of the sock as hereinbefore indicated the rio design shown is a 3 by l rib. The elastic material, such as, for example, rubber yarn, is layed in the ankle portion in the form shown by being fed to every fourth needle. This constructionresults in the rubber being layed in every fourth Wale and being floated across cach three intervening wales, thus forming the bulky 3 by l mock rib. Of course, if anotheirrib design is to be employed, the rubber yarn will be lfloated across the number of wales constituting the bulky rib portion and laid in the number of walesof the other segment of the rib portion.

Reference is now to be had lto FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 wherein an enlarged fragmentary portion 2 of theV sock shown in FIG. l is shown which illustrates the knitting operation to be employed. As illustrated, the, fragmentary section of the sock comprises courses 1 through 13 and wales .through 21. are knit in a loose stitch on a conventional circular knitting machine using Va plurality of yarns. Courses 1 and 2, as well as courses SLS and courses 1143, are shown in wale 21 in FIG. 2 with a portion thereof in broken section, with Y' indicating the bottom yarn. This illustrates that courses 1 2, 48, and 11-13 each consist of a plurality of yarns, thus making up multiple yarns for each course. For example, the body yarn is a 3/1 yarn with an additional 3/1k and 6/1 yarn added during the knitting of the courses 1 and 2( However, these size yarns are illustrative in character only since any size yarn may be employed. Moreover, any desired number of yarns may be employed so long as the number of yarns employed in the ribbed portion ris greater in number than the number employed in plain` knit restricted portion. These courses 1 and 2 constitute the two lower courses of the ribbed portion ofthe sock. During the knitting of courses 1 and 2, elastic yarn Y, such as, forV example, rubber, is fed from an auxiliary feeding station to every fourth needle and oated behind theintervening needles, thereby resulting Yin theelastic yarn Y being layed in at wales 16 and 26 and being floated across intervening wales 17, 18, and 19. Y

' After the completion Vof the knitting of the mock rib courses 1 and 2 and with the laying lin of the elastic yarn Y'therein, the plain knit restricted portion is to be knitted. vToaccomplish this, the auxiliary sinker cam for the formation of the Yloose or long stitch is retracted. At the same time, the two additional yarns used with the body yarn during fthe knitting of the rib courses 1 and 2 likewise are zwithdrawn. The plain courses 3 and 4 are then knit with tight or'short stitches, using only the 3/1 yarn,` During the knitting of the two courses 3 and 4, the elastic yarn is fed from an auxiliary station to alternate needles thereby insuring the formation of` the desired ,restricted portion. The Velastic yarn as shown is layed in every course of both the rib portion and the plain portion. While ,this is preferred in order to insure the desired elasticity and self-sustainability ofthe top or ankle As illustrated, courses 1 and 2V rib portion and plain portion. This arrangement of laying in the elastic yarn in only the alternate courses may be employed throughout the knitting of the entire top or angle portion` At the completion of plain courses 3 and 4 which form the restricted portion P, the auxiliary sinker cam is again introduced to produce the desired loose stitch and the additional yarns are again added to the base yarn. The knitting sequence both with respect to the multiple yarns and the elastic yarn for courses 4', 5, 6, 7, and 8 is identical with that hereinbefore described with respect to courses 1 and 2. This operation produces the desired bulky rib courses of the 3 by 1 mock rib construction.

At the completion of course 8 the Iauxiliary cam enabling the formation of the loose stitches is again dropped out and the two additional yarns added for the bulky rib portion likewise are dropped out. Courses 9 and 10 are then knit with the single yarn in the manner hercin-before indicated with respect to courses 3 and 4 to produce the desired restricted plain portion. At the completion of course 10 the loose stitch-forming cam again is placed in operative association with the sinker -cam of the kniting machine and the additional yarns are introduced at the feeding station to complete the formation of courses 12 Aand 13, .which constitute the first two courses of the next bulky rib'portion. This opera- -ftion is repeated in the same sequence as hereinbefore indicated until the formation of the ankle portion is complete. The foot portion of the sock is then knit in the conventional plain knit pattern until same is formed.

The yarn to be employed herein in the formation of the sock may be cotton, wool, nylon, Orlon, Dacron, Banlon, or any synthetic yarn. Similarly, the foregoing yarns may be blended with -one another, such as, for

example, wool and nylon, cotton and Banlon, etc. It is to be noted that the appearance will vary with respect to the yarns used. For example, employing cotton yarn the vertically spaced rib portions and the restricted portions therebetween will mcrge gradually with respect to one another forming the continuous rufied pattern. However, using Banlon the restricted portion between the bulky rib portions will be more sharply defined, thereby giving a more clearly defined layer relationship between each of the rib pontions of t-he sock.

The foregoing illustrative description has been had relative to hosiery of the 4type known as bobby socks. However, it is to be clearly understood that the present invention may be employed with any type of knitted hosiery including ladies hosiery, such as, for example, nylons, etc., mens hoisery, etc. Moreover, the present invention may Abe employed in hosiery tops or" all kind and not necessarily in liust the ankle portion. Furthermore, the design need not be employed throughout the lankle portion of the sock but may be used in only a portion thereof. Moreover, while the illustrative embodiment Iof the invention has been shown with respect to hosiery, it is yto be clearly understood, as hereinbefore described, that the invention may be employed with any knitted fabric in which a design is desired. For example, the present invention may be used in the knitting of sweaters, :bathing suits, skirts, jerseys, tights, undergarments, gloves, dresses, bathrobes, etc. Likewise, it may be used in the formation of other knitted articles of commerce such as, for example, bags, gun covers, etc.

While there have been described herein what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the -invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the ant that modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore to vbe understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims, and that all modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of ythe claims are intended to be included therein.

We claim:

1. A tubular plain knitted fabric comprising spaced mock rib portions separated by restricted portions, said mock rib portions each comprising a plurality of courses knit yof a plurality of yarns and having elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in spaced wales separated from each other by a plurality of Wales across which said elastic yarn is oated, said restricted portions each comprising -a lesser num-ber of coures than said mock rib portions and being knit of a lesser number of yarns, and elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in spaced Wales which are separated from each other by a lesser number of wales than said tirs-t mentioned spaced wales and across which said elastic yarn oats.

2. A plain knitted article of hosiery includ-ing spaced mock rib portions separated by restricted portions, s-aid mock rib portions each comprising a plurality of courses knit of a plurality of yarns and having elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in spaced Wales separated from each other by a plurality of wales across which said elastic yarn is floated, said restricted portions each comprising a lesser number of courses than said rock rib portions and being knit of a lesser number of yarns, and elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in spaced Wales which are separated from each other by a lesser number of wales than said first mentioned spaced Wales and across which said elastic yarn floats.

3. A self-supporting plain knitted .article of hosiery comprising a oat portion and a self-sustaining ankle portion, said ankle portion comprising spaced mock rib portions separated by restricted portions, said mock rib portions each comprising a plurality of courses knit of a plurality of yarns and having elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated lin spaced Wales separated -from each other by a plurality of Wales across which said elastic yarn is floated, said restricted portions each comprising a lesser number of courses than said mock rib portions and being knit of a lesser number of yarns, and elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in spaced wales which are separated from each other by a lesser number or" wales than said rst mentioned spaced wales and across which said elastic yarn floats.

4. A tubular plain knitted fabric comprising spaced mock rib portions separated by restricted portions, said mock rib portions each compris-ing a plurality of courses knit of a plurality of yarns and having elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in every fourth Wale and floated across the intervening Wales, said restricted portions each comprising Ia lesser number of courses than said mock rib portions and being knit of a lesser number of yarns, and elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in alternate Wales and oated across the intervening Wale.

5. A plain knitted article of hosiery including spaced mock rib portions separated by restricted portions, said mock rib portions each comprising a plurality of courses knit of a plurality of yarns and having elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in every .fourth Wale and floated across the intervening Wales, said restricted portions each comprising a lesser number of courses than said mock lrib pon-tions and being knit of a lesser num-ber ot yarns, .and elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in alternate wales and floated across the intervening Wale.

6. A self-supporting plain knitted article of hosiery comprising a float portion and a self-sustaining ankle portion, said ankle portion comprising spaced mock rib portions separated by `restricted portions, said mock rib portions each comprising a plurality of courses knit of a plurality of yarns and having elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns `being incorporated in every fourth Wale and oated across the intervening Wales, said restricted portions each comprising .a lesser number of courses than said mock rib portions and being knit of a lesser number of yarns, and elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in alternate Wales and floated across the intervening Wale.

7. A tubular plain knitted fabric comprising spaced mock rib portions separated by restricted portions, said mock rib portions each comprising a plurality of courses knit of la plurality of yarns and having elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in spaced Wales separated from each other by a plurality of Wales across which said elastic yarn is floated, said restricted portions each being knit of a lesser number of yarns than said mock riby portions, and elastic yarns inlaid therein, said elastic yarns being incorporated in spaced Wales which are separated from each other by a lesser number of Wales than said rst mentioned spaced wales and across which said elastic yarn oats.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,127,780 Marshall a- Aug. 23, 1938 2,151,879 Weber Mar. 28, 1939 2,262,614 Lawson Nov. 11, 1941 2,384,392 Page Sept, 4, 1945 2,420,771 Crawford et al. May 20, 1947 2,503,444 Lawson et al Apr. 11, 1950 

7. A TUBULAR PLAIN KNITTED FABRIC COMPRISING SPACED MOCK RIB PORTIONS SEPARATED BY RESTRICTED PORTIONS, SAID MOCK RIB PORTIONS EACH COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF COURSES KNIT OF A PLURALITY OF YARNS AND HAVING ELASTIC YARNS INLAID THEREIN, SAID ELASTIC YARNS BEING INCORPORATED IN SPACED WALES SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER BY A PLURALITY OF WALES ACROSS WHICH SAID ELASTIC YARN IS FLOATED, SAID 